MINUTES
The Village of Evendale
Special Council Meeting
November 4th, 2009
The Village of Evendale Special Council Meeting was called to order by Mayor Apking at 7:00pm.
Roll call- The following Council members were present: Ms. Carolyn Smiley-Robertson, Mr. Stiney Vonderhaar, Mr. John Ranz, Jr., Mr. Bill Puthoff, Mr. Jeff Albrinck, and Mr. Doug Lohmeier. Also present: Village Engineer, James Jeffers; Village of Evendale Fire Chief, Rick Cruse; Recreation Manager, Dave Nichols, Village Solicitor, Tim Burke; and Village Clerk, Barb Rohs.
Presentation of Ordinances and Resolutions:
Mayor Apking presented ORDINANCE #09-43 ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY IN SECURING A COMMITMENT FOR THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE GENERAL ELECTRIC AVIATION DIVISION AND ITS OPERATIONS TO REMAIN AT ITS EVENDALE SITE AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
Discussion: Mr. Cameron introduced those who have assisted with this process.
GE Aviation:
Clifton Morehead - Regional Manager Corporate Government Relations
Chet Fuller - Marketing Director
Megen Lillich - Government Programs
Bridget Gannon-McGraw - General Counsel
Bob McEwan - General Manager
Jeff Blakeman - Facilities Manager/Evendale, Global Head of Security
From the State of Ohio Department of Development:
Quinten Harris - Governor's Regional Representative
Mr. Fuller stated the current GE Aviation campus that assembles the most modern, advanced jet engines in the world needs to be updated. GE Aviation is going to invest $100,000,000 into renovations and updating this site. The site will be anchored by laboratories, testing facilities and engineering facilities that are unique to Evendale and necessary to stay at this location because the campus has high level security. UC Department of Engineering also has plans to partner with GE Aviation in this region.
Mr. Ranz asked about the new buildings in West Chester and what were the long term plans for GE in West Chester. Mr. Fuller stated that West Chester site is a consolidation of offices from Springdale. Their lease was up for renewal and they decided to move to the West Chester site for cost purposes. There will be two buildings and a potential third building. The buildings are leased through Duke. In 2012, one more office building comes up for renewal in Springdale. The Evendale site is focused on testing labs, learning center and engineering. The West Chester campus focus is office.
The utility cost of the Evendale campus, per week, is $970,000. The facility needs to be update to become more efficient.
GE Aviation is seeking funds from not only Evendale but also the State of Ohio.
Jeff Albrinck questioned the portion of the ordinance that stated the 5000 jobs are within a 15 mile radius of the Evendale location. Mr. Fuller stated that most of their jobs are going to be in this location because of their function and can not be moved elsewhere.
GE employs 6800 people in this region and up to 12,000 in the State of Ohio.
Mr. Albrinck asked what Evendale can do to attract the remaining jobs in Springdale to Evendale. Mr. McEwan stated he would be open to sit down with Evendale as he would with the current property owner. Mr. Fuller stated moving office is purely is driven by cost of the space and taxes related to that site.
Mr. Puthoff heard that there are jobs moving from Evendale to West Chester. Mr. Fuller stated that the groups leaving Evendale to West Chester will be back filled by engineering offices.
Mr. Fuller stated that if GE is successful in what the plans with UC Department of Engineering than more jobs will be created at that site. Ms. Gannon-McGraw stated that these plans are very much in the discussion stage.
Mr. Lohmeier questioned the wording that "GE will invest or has invested $100,000,000". He would like to know if there is a start date for the investment into the campus. Mr. McEwan stated that the Joint Striker Fighter has already made them put $9,500,000 dollars into the plant. The Ohio Job Retention Tax Credit was signed in July, 2009.
GE stated that before they receive the Ohio Job Retention Tax Credit from the State of Ohio they have to invest the $100,000,000.
Mr. Albrinck stated that Village of Evendale truly cherishes GE in our community.
Mr. Ranz would like to increase the communications the between GE and the Village of Evendale.
Carolyn Smiley-Robertson would like to meet yearly with GE and have GE share their 3-5 year employee projection. This would enable Evendale to be more accurate with our budgeting process and to be able to provide adequate services to their campus.
Ms. Susan de Roos, Village Resident, addressed council. She felt the wording of the title of the ordinance pertained to the Evendale site but the agreement's wording pertained to be committed to this site and within a 15 mile radius. The wording should correctly reflect the agreement.
A motion to read #09-43 by title only was made by Mr. Vonderhaar, seconded by Mr. Albrinck and unanimously approved on roll call. A motion to suspend the second and third readings of #09-43 was made by Ms. Smiley-Robertson, seconded by Mr. Lohmeier and unanimously approved on roll call. A motion to adopt #09-43 as an emergency was made by Mr. Puthoff, seconded by Mr. Albrinck and unanimously approved on roll call. Mayor Apking declared #09-43 adopted as an emergency.
A motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Vonderhaar and seconded by Mr. Ranz and unanimously approved on roll call. Meeting was adjourned at 7:45.
_______________________
Mayor
Attest:
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Village Clerk
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